Research
Current research efforts focus on severe malaria in African children, malaria during pregnancy, HIV-malaria interactions and drug-resistant malaria. Research on severe malaria is aimed at elucidating how malaria kills and evaluating new treatments based on these findings, including those targeting the parasite itself as well as therapy aimed at the effects of the parasite. Investigations also strive to improve accurate diagnosis of severe and cerebral malaria because standard methods are incorrect in 25% of the suspected cases. The BMP has been a pioneer in research focused on understanding the pathologic processes involved in cerebral malaria and is a leader in a multinational consortium describing the neurocognitive sequelae of this disease.
Research conducted in a satellite clinical site in Ndirande District documented the return of chloroquine susceptible malaria to Malawi, a discovery that may one day be the foundation of the reintroduction of this safe, inexpensive and highly efficacious antimalarial. Current research focuses on how this might be achieved without reintroducing chloroquine resistance. The ongoing malaria in pregnancy research seeks to determine when maternal malaria infection poses the greatest risk for mother and child so that interventions can be optimally targeted to prevent obstetric and fetal complications.
All Activities
